VALLEY OF TEARS BY: REV. DR. LESLIE TROMBLY (C)COPYRIGHT - 1998
THERE IS A VALLEY OF TEARS THAT COVERS THIS NATION - FROM NORTH TO SOUTH AND EAST TO WEST SEE THE FACES OF LOVED ONES LOST IN SENSELESS WAR WHO ARE FILLED WITH PAIN AND SORROW.
HEAR THE RESTLESS SOULS OF MEN AND WOMEN, LONG SINCE DEAD, CRY OUT IN ANGUISH -"PLEASE DO NOT FORGET ME!" THERE IS NO PEACE ON EARTH SO A FAMILIAR SONG HAS BEEN SUNG, NOR IS THERE ANY LASTING PEACE FOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT, AND SUFFERED AND EVEN DIED SO LONG AGO.
THEY FOUGHT A WAR THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WON OR LOST, TO ONLY BE SENT HOME IN DISGRACE AND TO SEE A NATION TURN IT'S BACK ON THEM.
AN UNWANTED WAR, AN UNGRATEFUL NATION, THAT'S LONG SINCE BEEN SWEPT AWAY LIKE YESTERDAY'S NEWS.
BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO CAN'T AND WON'T FORGET ALL THOSE BRAVE SOULS WHO FOUGHT SO WELL.
THE MEMORIES SHALL STAND FOREVER ETCHED IN THE MINDS OF THOSE WHO RECALL.
IN THE PAIN AND GRIEF STRICKEN FACES OF LOVED ONES LEFT BEHIND, THOSE SOLDIERS, THOSE YOUNG AND BRAVE SOLDIERS WHO DIED FOR THIS COUNTRY AND THOSE SOLDIERS, WHO YET LIVE, BUT ARE TATTERED AND TORN IN MINDS, SOUL AND BODY; YET BRAVELY SMILE AND GO ON.......WILL NOT AND SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN - EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE TRAVELED THRU THE VALLEY OF TEARS!
The focus obviously makes the image what it is, and it balances serious subject matter with an almost humorous sense of coincidental levity just perfectly. I like the graininess of the image as well, be that intentional or via JPEG influence. It adds a grittiness that fits perfectly.
Thank you, Marty for sharing this picture as well as the story..The pain and agony of losing a loved one... The story describes it in a way that most people just cannot find or express in words. Thank you.